My Journey at Nike: Shaping Products, Telling Stories, and Overcoming Challenges

My time at Nike was a journey that shaped both my career and my understanding of how sports brands can merge performance, design, and storytelling to create products that resonate with athletes and fans alike. Over the course of several roles, I was able to work on a variety of exciting projects that helped me grow both professionally and personally. From my early days as an Associate Product Manager to later roles as a Product Manager and Merchandiser, each experience built on the last, offering new challenges, opportunities, and lessons.

Role 1: Associate Product Manager for Core Performance Sports
My first role at Nike was as an Associate Product Manager for Core Performance Sports, where I spent 2.5 years working primarily on Rugby products. One of the highlights of this time was working on the 2010 Twickenham Centenary jerseys and the 2011 Rugby World Cup jerseys for England and France. These projects were a significant milestone in my career, as they allowed me to see first-hand how important design and storytelling are in creating performance-driven products that athletes trust.

In this role, I was involved in concepting and creating these iconic products, as well as working on the campaign storytelling that brought them to life. We also created club kits for prominent teams like Toulouse Rugby and Paris Racing Metro 92. The process of transforming concepts into tangible, high-performing apparel that athletes could rely on was incredibly rewarding.

Role 2: Product Manager for Quick Turn and Nike Events
After my first role, I transitioned into a Product Manager position for Quick Turn and Nike Events. Here, I focused on delivering key product drops tied to major sporting milestones, such as the Champions League Final, Tour de France, Nike SB events, and other high-profile athletic competitions. My job was to quickly bring relevant, high-performance products to market that aligned with these events and Nike’s brand.

Working in this fast-paced environment, I learned the importance of speed, agility, and collaboration. Ensuring that these products were delivered on time and with the right branding was a constant challenge, but one that taught me invaluable lessons about adaptability and the need for a well-coordinated team.

Role 3: Merchandiser for Nike Golf
My final role at Nike was as a Merchandiser for Nike Golf, where I spent another 2.5 years managing forecasting and building assortments for retailers and geographies across EMEA. This role expanded my understanding of demand planning and product management while ensuring that Nike’s golf apparel reached the right audiences in the right way. I worked closely with sales, marketing, and product teams to ensure that the assortments we created were aligned with both market demand and Nike’s global vision.

Key Takeaways from My Nike Experience
Throughout my time at Nike, I learned invaluable skills that shaped my approach to product strategy, marketing, and teamwork.

The Power of Good Design
At Nike, I truly grasped the significance of design in making a product not only functional but also desirable. The 2011 Rugby World Cup jerseys taught me how a well-designed product can tell a story and build emotional connections with consumers.

The Impact of Storytelling on Commercial Success
Every product we created had a story behind it. Whether it was the Rugby World Cup jerseys or the Nike SB event products, I learned that a product’s success is often as much about the story it tells as the technical specs.

Building Products with a Margin in Mind
One key lesson I learned was the importance of designing and creating products with a target margin. This discipline helped me understand how business decisions around product design, pricing, and market positioning affect the bottom line.

Adaptability and Problem-Solving
Nike is a company that is constantly evolving, and during my time there, I was forced to adapt quickly. A perfect example of this was when we discovered a durability issue with the 2010 Twickenham Centenary kit for England. With development already far along, we had a limited window to make adjustments. Through strong teamwork and careful planning, we were able to resolve the issue and deliver the best performing kit.

Collaborating with Cross-Functional Teams
Working with different departments at Nike, from sports marketing to sales and design, helped me develop strong collaboration skills. This was especially important when working on large-scale product launches or signing deals with new sports clubs and federations.

Nike: The Foundation of My Career
Nike laid the groundwork for my entire career. The company’s culture, focus on innovation, and commitment to high-performance products influenced how I approach both product creation and brand strategy. Nike taught me the fundamentals of product strategy, the importance of discipline in product management, and how to craft and execute strategic plans that align with both consumer needs and business goals.

What excites me most about my experience at Nike is how it set me up for my next chapter in consultancy. The lessons I learned around creating high-quality products, working under pressure to meet tight deadlines, and collaborating across teams have given me a well-rounded skill set that I now bring to clients.

As I move forward with my consultancy, I carry with me the philosophy that innovation, storytelling, and teamwork are at the heart of every successful product. And just as Nike changed the way we think about performance gear, I’m excited to help brands unlock new opportunities for growth and success.